“Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.” (Ephesians 4:25)

“Yes, leadership is about vision. But leadership is equally about creating a climate where truth is heard and the brutal facts are confronted.” (Good to Great, Jim Collins)

Leadership with a genuine interest in results and wanting the best for others is not only possible, but it makes good business sense. God calls us to be truthful with one another in Ephesians and many other places in the Bible; leadership in business built on false pretense is temporary at best. Just as each of us must work on our shortcomings both personal and professional (so as to not cast the first stone), then as leaders it is incumbent upon us to make clear those necessary areas of improvement for our colleagues.

In the professional leadership setting, I have witnessed the most clear identification of individual’s core issues--largely responsible for the inability to deliver results, limited job satisfaction, or a reasonable semblance of a work environment. I have seen this done in a caring, compassionate, accountability demanding, and inspiring manner. I have also witnessed this done by brutal confrontation or sarcastic indirect discussion with coworkers. The former method has turned a mediocre, underperforming employee into a star. The latter has both castigated the employee beyond repair and polluted the workplace with a growing cancer.

Make the choice to tell the truth and give the gift of inspiration that will create a lasting gift for the colleague, your leadership role, and the work environment as this year comes to an end.

Bob Weinhold hosts Inspired Leadership in 30 phone call
Wednesday, December 3^rd, 7:30 a.m.
Call in number: 712-775-7031712-775-7031
ID #: 251-410-597